Phonograph.



Patented Oct. 2, I900. B. B HILL.

PHONOGRAPH.

(Appligatiou filed Mar. 10, 1899.;

(No Model.)

Mil ya mm mm mm dm k u i Z i m: Noam s Pir zns co. Pnmouma, WASHINGTON.0.1:

UNITED STATES;

PAT NT OFFICE.

BARTON B. HILL, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

PHONOGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,028, dated October2, 1900.

Application filed March 10. 1899 Sen'al No. 7081670. N0 odel-l To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BARTON B. HILL, a CllJlzen of the United States,residing at Paris, France, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Phonographic Records and Apparatus forProducing theSame, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improved phonographic records adaptedparticularly for the reproduction of band, orchestra], or other multipleinstrumental or vocal music ina better, clearer, and more satisfactorymanner than isnowpossible. Owingtotheextremelysensitive and complexcharacter of the soundvibrations representing the kind of music referredto, it is impossible to effect an accu-- rate reproduction thereof withan ordinary phonograph or similar device, the reproduction effectingonly the general impression of the music, the predominatinginstriimentsbeing recognizable at intervals. I have invented anapparatus for the recording ofband,

orchestral, or multiple instrumental or vocal music in a new way for theproduction of absolutely-perfect results, and in the operation of thatapparatus I obtain a phonographic record of novel character. What Ipropose' to do in carrying out my invention is the simultaneousrecording phonographically of the individual instruments or pieces of aband or orchestra, each instrument making its own simple record or aless number of instruments than the entire aggregate making together acomplex record, preferably the former, and the simultaneousreproduction. from the record so obtained, whereby the originalvibrations will be reproduced perfectly and without confusion.

The apparatus is capable of being used in connection with any suitablekind of recording-surface but I preferably utilize a recording-surfaceof a waXlike or soaplike nature, the sound-record being cut therein, asin the present forms of phonograph.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andto which reference is made for a better understanding of my invention,Figure l is a plan view of a phonographic apparatus embodying my presentimprovements, showing three cylinders and eighteen recording devices;Figs. 2 and be adjusted with absolute accuracy upon the mandrel, eachcylinder is provided with a pin 12 in its edge for engaging a slot in aplate 13, carried by the shaft 11. In this way the record-cylinders maybe adjusted with absolute accuracy and placed in the apparatus. Thecylinders are driven in any suitable way as, for instance, throughworm-gears 14 from a shaft 15, as shown. The recording devices 16,0fanysuitable character, eighteen in numher, are arranged in three rows ofsix each I These recorders are pivoted on the shafts 17, connectedtogether'by a cross-bar 18, adapted to be fed by a feed-arm 19, engaginga feedscrew 20, driven by gears 21 from one of the shafts 11. Thefeed-arm 19 is composed, preferably, of two leaf-springs held togetherby a thumb-screw 22, which may be released to disengage the nut from thefeed-screw 20, when the recorders are to be returned to their normalposition. The forward ends of the recorders are carried on rods 23,which rest normally at their inner ends on the bar18. Each of the rods23 is provided with a downturned arm 24,'to which a release-arm 25 isconnected, operated by a screw 26. lease-arm 25 the arms 24 will besimultaneously moved to withdraw all of the recorders from engagementwith the respective cylinders, as will be understood.

In the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the individual records aremade on the cylinders, all of the recording devices being fedsimultaneously, so as to makea series of spiral record-grooves in eachof the cylinders. Having obtained a record cylinder or cylinders with aseries of records therein representing the vibrations generated bya'plurality of instruments, reproduction is effected in any suitableway-for instance, by an apparatus By operating the resimilar to therecording device, With the exception that reproducinwdiaphragms will hemade use of instead of the usual recorders.

It. will be of course understood that myimproved apparatus maybe usedfor the recording and reproduction of multiple vocal music-such asduets, trios, quartets, choruses, choirs, dac the individual voicesbeing recorded on the separate rccordil'ig devices or the sets of voices(the sopranos, tenors, contraltos, hassos, the.) being recorded on theindividual recorders.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is as follows:

1. Apparatus for recording phonographically orchestral, band or inultiple-instrumental music, comprising, a plurality of recordcylinders,a series of phonographic recording devices cooperating with eachcylinder, means for relatively moving the cylinders and recordingdevices, whereby a series of spiral records will be formed on eachcylinder, and means for simultaneously moving the recording devicestoward and away from said cylinders, substantially as set forth.

2. In apparatus for recording phonographically orchestral, band ormultiple instrumental music, the combination of a series of cylinders, aseries of recording devices cooperating with each of said cylinders,means for simultaneously moving all of the recording devices withrespect to the cylinders,

whereby a series of spiral records will be formed on each of saidcylinders, and means for simultaneously moving all of the recordingdevices toward or away from the respective cylinders, substantially asset forth.

3. Apparatus for recording phonographically orchestral, band or multipleinstru mental music, com prising in combination a plurality ofrecord-cylinders, a plurality of recording devices cooperating witheach. cylinder, a frame movable laterally with respect to the cylindersand carryingsaid recording devices, means for rotating the cylinder andmeans for simultaneously moving: said frame laterally, substantially asset forth.

4. Apparatus for recording phonographically orchestral, band or multiple instrumental music, comprising in combination a plurality ofrecord-cylinders, a plurality of recording devices cooperating with eachcylinder, a frame movable laterally with respect to the cylinders andcarrying said recording devices, means for rotating the cylinders, meansfor simultaneously moving said frame laterally, and means forsimultaneously moving the recording devices toward and away from thecylinders, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 17th day of February, 1899.

BARTON B. IIILL.

Witnesses:

EDWARD P. MAcLnAN, JOHN S. ABERCROMBIE.

